Gas burner assembly for a gas cooking appliance

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a gas burner assembly ( 10 ) for a gas cooking appliance, in particular for a gas cooking hob. The gas burner assembly ( 10 ) comprises an upper burner part ( 12 ) and a lower burner part ( 14 ), wherein the upper burner part ( 12 ) is arranged above the lower burner part ( 14 ). The upper burner part ( 12 ) includes a central portion and a number of peripheral portions, wherein the peripheral portions extend radially and horizontally from the central portion. An impingement cone ( 40 ) is formed at a bottom side of the central portion of the upper burner part ( 12 ) and a gas injector ( 20 ) is arranged below the impingement cone ( 40 ) and directed to said impingement cone ( 40 ), so that a gas jet from the gas injector ( 20 ) impinges at the impingement cone ( 40 ) and said gas jet with dragged atmospheric air is directed to the peripheral portions. A Venturi tube ( 44 ) extends between the central portion and the peripheral portions in each case, so that a mixture of gas and air is accelerated to the peripheral portions. A plurality of flame ports ( 36, 38 ) is arranged at the circumference of the peripheral portions. Further, the present invention relates to a gas cooking appliance, in particular a gas cooking hob, including at least one gas burner assembly ( 10 ).

The present invention relates to a gas burner assembly for a gas cooking appliance, in particular for a gas cooking hob. Further, the present invention relates to a gas cooking appliance including at least one gas burner assembly. Moreover, the present invention relates to a gas cooking hob, including at least one gas burner assembly.

In a gas burner assembly with an atmospheric aeration usually the air and gas are mixed by a Venturi tube in a primary aeration phase. For the primary aeration phase about 60% of air is required. A gas jet drags the air into a Venturi tube. The air and gas are mixed in a convex zone of the Venturi tube and completed in a throat of said Venturi tube. In conventional gas burner assemblies the primary air is fed either from the bottom or the top of the gas cooking appliance.

Current gas burner assemblies comprise a burner body, a burner crown, a burner cap and an external Venturi tube. In order to improve the efficiency of a gas cooking appliance, the distance between the gas burner assembly and a pan or pot is continuously reduced. However, this leads to a centralized temperature distribution.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a gas burner assembly for a gas cooking appliance, which allows an improved efficiency by low complexity.

The object is achieved by the gas burner assembly according to claim 1.

According to the present invention a gas burner assembly for a gas cooking appliance, in particular for a gas cooking hob, is provided, wherein:

-   -   the gas burner assembly comprises an upper burner part and a         lower burner part,     -   the upper burner part is arranged above the lower burner part,     -   the upper burner part includes a central portion and a number of         peripheral portions,     -   the peripheral portions extend radially and horizontally from         the central portion,     -   an impingement cone is formed at a bottom side of the central         portion of the upper burner part,     -   a gas injector is arranged below the impingement cone and         directed to said impingement cone, so that a gas jet from the         gas injector impinges at the impingement cone and said gas jet         with dragged atmospheric air is directed to the peripheral         portions,     -   a Venturi tube extends between the central portion and the         peripheral portions in each case, so that a mixture of gas and         air is accelerated to the peripheral portions, and     -   a plurality of flame ports is arranged at the circumference of         the peripheral portions.

The core of the present invention is the structure of the central portion and peripheral portions of the upper burner part on the one hand and the impingement cone above the gas injector on the other hand. The central portion and the peripheral portions allow a non-circular geometry of the burner, so that the circumference of the upper burner part is maximised in relation to its area. The gas jet from the gas injector impinges on the impingement cone. Then, the gas jet with dragged atmospheric air is directed to the peripheral portions.

For example, the gas burner assembly is controlled or controllable by the pressure of the gas jet.

Preferably, the gas burner assembly comprises a number of baffles arranged in the central portion and between two entrances of neighboured peripheral portions, so that the gas jet with dragged atmospheric air is directed into the peripheral portions.

In particular, at least one of the baffles includes an upper part and a lower part, wherein the upper part of the baffle is an integrated part of the upper burner part, while the lower part of the baffle is an integrated part of the lower burner part.

For example, the upper burner part may include a top wall and a circumferential side wall, wherein preferably said upper burner part is formed as a single-piece part.

Moreover, the upper burner part may include at least one inclined side wall enclosing at least partially the peripheral portions of said upper burner part, wherein preferably at least a part of the flame ports is arranged at said inclined side wall. Thus, the upper burner part combines a burner cap and a burner crown of a conventional gas burner assembly.

In particular, the inclined side wall is arranged between the circumferential side wall and the top wall, i.e. above the circumferential side wall and below the top wall, wherein preferably the flame ports are arranged in series at said inclined side wall.

Further, the lower burner part may also include a central portion and a number of peripheral portions extending radially and horizontally from said central portion, wherein preferably the base areas of the central portion and peripheral portions of the lower burner part are equal or marginally bigger than the central portion and peripheral portions, respectively, of the upper burner part.

An air inlet may be formed in the central portion of the lower burner part.

In this case, the lower burner part may include a crown enclosing said air inlet, wherein preferably said crown extends downwards.

Additionally, the gas burner assembly may comprise a support device for supporting the upper burner part and the lower burner part.

Further, the support device includes a number of pan support elements, wherein preferably the support device and the pan support elements form a single-piece part.

In particular, the gas burner assembly comprises a holding device for fastening the gas injector, a spark plug and/or a thermocouple, wherein preferably the holding device is attached at the bottom side of the support device.

For example, the peripheral portions of the upper burner part and/or the lower burner part are tongue-shaped and/or elongated along the radial and horizontal direction.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upper burner part and/or the lower burner part include four tongue-shaped peripheral portions, so that the upper burner part and/or the lower burner part have a cloverleaf shaped base area.

At last, the present invention relates to a gas cooking appliance, in particular a gas cooking hob, wherein the gas cooking appliance comprises at least one gas burner assembly mentioned above.

Novel and inventive features of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims.

The present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the drawings, in which

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic exploded perspective view of a gas burner assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic perspective bottom view of the gas burner assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic perspective top view of an upper burner part and a lower burner part of the gas burner assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic perspective bottom view of the upper burner part of the gas burner assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic bottom view of the lower burner part and the upper burner part of the gas burner assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic partial sectional side view along the line A-A in FIG. 5 of the upper burner part and the lower burner part of the gas burner assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic partial sectional side view along the line B-B in FIG. 5 of the upper burner part and the lower burner part of the gas burner assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic exploded perspective view of a gas burner assembly 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The burner assembly 10 is provided for a gas cooking appliance, in particular for a gas cooking hob.

The gas burner assembly 10 comprises an upper burner part 12, a lower burner part 14, a support device 16 and a holding device 22. In this example, the support device 16 includes four pan support elements 18 extending upward, wherein the support device 16 and the pan support elements 18 form a single-piece part. Further, the gas burner assembly 10 comprises a gas injector 20, a spark plug 24 and a thermocouple 26. The gas injector 20, the spark plug 24 and the thermocouple 26 are attached or attachable at the holding device 22. In turn, the holding device 22 is attached or attachable at the bottom of the support device 16.

The upper burner part 12 is arranged above the lower burner part 14. The upper burner part 12, the lower burner part 14 and the gas injector 20 form a flat gas burner. The upper burner part 12 and the lower burner part 14 are arranged above the support device 16.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic perspective bottom view of the gas burner assembly 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 clarifies the arrangement of the holding device 22 at the bottom of the support device 16. The holding device 22 is arranged below a central portion of the support device 16. The spark plug 24 and the thermocouple 26 penetrate the support device 16.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic perspective top view of the upper burner part 12 and the lower burner part 14 of the gas burner assembly 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The upper burner part 12 includes a central portion and a number of peripheral portions. Said peripheral portions extend radially from the central portion. In this example, the upper burner part 12 includes four peripheral portions. The upper burner part 12 has a substantially flat structure. In this example, the peripheral portions are tongue-shaped. Thus, the upper burner part 12 has a substantially cloverleaf shaped base area. In this embodiment, the peripheral portions of the upper burner part 12 have the same shape and size. In general, the upper burner part 12 may include two or more peripheral portions having arbitrary shapes, wherein said peripheral portions may have the same shape and/or size or different shapes and/or sizes.

In a similar way, the lower burner part 14 includes a central portion and a number of peripheral portions. The central portion of the lower burner part 14 includes a crown 46 at its bottom side. The crown 46 is formed as a pipe section and extends downwards. The crown 46 is arranged below the central portions of the upper burner part 12. The crown 46 encloses an air inlet 48 for atmospheric air. Preferably, the base areas of the upper burner part 12 and the lower burner part 14 are substantially the same. In this example, the base area of the lower burner part 14 is marginally bigger than the base area of the upper burner part 12. Thus, the lower burner part 14 includes also four peripheral portions. Further, the lower burner part 14 has also a substantially flat structure. Moreover, the lower burner part 14 has also a cloverleaf shaped base area. In general, the lower burner part 14 may have a base area different from the base area of the upper burner part 12.

The upper burner part 12 includes a top wall 30 and a circumferential side wall 32. The top wall 30 of the central portion of the upper burner part 12 includes a recess 28 on its top side. In this example, the recess 28 is cone-shaped. Each peripheral portion of the upper burner part 12 includes an inclined side wall 34. Said inclined side wall 34 is interconnected between the top wall 30 and the circumferential side wall 32 of the corresponding peripheral portion of the upper burner part 12. The inclined side wall 34 is arranged below the top wall 30 and above the circumferential side wall 32.

A plurality of first flame ports 36 and second flame ports 38 is formed in the inclined side wall 34. The diameters of the first flame ports 36 are bigger than the diameters of the second flame ports 38. The flame ports 36 and 38 are arranged in series along the inclined side wall 34. In this example, two second flame ports 38 are arranged between two neighboured first flame ports 36 in each case.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic perspective bottom view of the upper burner part 12 of the gas burner assembly 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The upper burner part 12 includes the central portion and the four peripheral portions extending radial from said central portion. In general, the upper burner part 12 may include two or more peripheral portions. The upper burner part 12 has the substantially flat structure. In this embodiment, the upper burner part 12 has the cloverleaf shaped base area. Alternatively, the upper burner part 12 may have a star-shaped, cross-shaped or they like shaped base area. In general, the upper burner part 12 has a base area, which allows a long as possible circumferential side wall 32. The central portion and the four peripheral portions allow such a relative long circumferential side wall 32 of the upper burner part 12 in relation to the base area of said upper burner part 12 and therefore a relative large number of flame ports 36 and 38. Said large number of flame ports 36 and 38 allows an improved temperature distribution above the gas burner assembly 10. Thus, the temperature distribution on a bottom of a pan or pot arranged above said gas burner assembly 10 is also improved. The plurality of flame ports 36 and 38 is formed in the inclined side walls 34 of the peripheral portions. The flame ports 36 and 38 are arranged in series along the inclined side walls 34.

The central portion of the upper burner part 12 includes an impingement cone 40. Said impingement cone 40 is formed at the bottom side of the top wall 30 in the central portion of the upper burner part 12. The peak of the impingement cone 40 extends downwards and is arranged in the centre of the upper burner part 12. In other words, the impingement cone 40 is an inverted cone. Further, the gas burner assembly 10 comprises four baffles 42 arranged in the central portion of said gas burner assembly 10. The upper burner part 12 includes four upper parts of said four baffles 42, wherein each upper part of the baffle 42 is formed as a corner of the circumferential side wall 32 and arranged between two entrances of neighboured peripheral portions.

The gas jet from the gas injector 20 flows upwards against the impingement cone 40 of the upper burner part 12, wherein said gas jet drags atmospheric air. The gas jet impinges at the impingement cone 40 of the upper burner part 12. Then, the baffles 42 divide the flow and direct a mixture of gas and air into the peripheral portions.

A Venturi tube 46 extends from the central portion to the peripheral portion in each case. The Venturi tubes 46 extend in radial and horizontal directions. The mixture of gas and air is accelerated by a pressure drop in the Venturi tube 46. Then, the mixture of gas and air is directed to the flame ports 36 and 38.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic bottom view of the lower burner part 14 and the upper burner part 12 of the gas burner assembly 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Each peripheral portion of the lower burner part 14 includes a base plate having substantially the same shape as the corresponding peripheral portion of the upper burner part 12. The base area of the peripheral portion of the lower burner part 14 is marginally bigger than the base area of the corresponding peripheral portion of the upper burner part 12.

The central portion of the lower burner part 14 includes four lower parts of the baffles 42. Each baffle 42 is formed by one lower part and one upper part. The lower parts of the four baffles 42 are integral parts of the lower burner part 14, while the upper parts of the four baffles 42 are integral parts of the upper burner part 12. Each lower part of the baffles 42 is arranged between two neighboured peripheral portions of the lower burner part 14.

The lower parts of the baffles 42 are enclosed by the crown 46. Said crown 46 is formed as a pipe section and extends downwards from the lower burner part 14. The crown 46 encloses the air inlet 48 for atmospheric air. The lower parts of the baffles 42 and the crown 46 form the central portion of the lower burner part 14. The crown 46 forms a vertical channel between the gas injector 20 and the central portion of the upper burner part 12. The impingement cone 40 of the upper burner part 12 is arranged above the centre of the crown 46 of the lower burner part 14.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic partial sectional side view along the line A-A in FIG. 5 of the upper burner part 12 and the lower burner part 14 of the gas burner assembly 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 clarifies the structure of the interior between the upper burner part 12 and the lower burner part 14.

In the passages between the central portion and the peripheral portions the Venturi tube 44 is formed in each case. The Venturi tubes 44 extend radially and horizontally. The Venturi tubes 44 effect a pressure drop from inside to outside, so that the mixture of gas and air is accelerated and finally directed to the circumferential side wall 32 and inclined side wall 34 with the flame ports 36 and 38.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic partial sectional side view along the line B-B in FIG. 5 of the upper burner part 12 and the lower burner part 14 of the gas burner assembly 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 clarifies the arrangement of the gas injector 20 below the impingement cone 40. Further, FIG. 7 clarifies the arrangement of the baffles 42 in the central portion.

The gas injector 20 is attached at the holding device 22, while the impingement cone 40 is an integral part of the upper burner part 12. The holding device 22 is attached at the support device 16, which is not shown in FIG. 7. The lower burner part 14 rests on the top side of said support device 16. In turn, the upper burner part 12 rests on the lower burner part 14.

The baffles 42 are formed by one lower part and one upper part in each case. The lower parts of the baffles 42 are integral parts of the lower burner part 14, while the upper parts of the baffles 42 are integral parts of the upper burner part 12. Each baffle 42 is arranged between two neighboured peripheral portions. The baffles 42 direct the mixture of gas and air into the peripheral portions and then to the flame ports 36 and 38.

The gas burner assembly 10 according to the present invention requires a small number of components. Preferably, the upper burner part 12 is formed as a single-piece part. The upper burner part 12 combines a burner cap and a burner crown of a conventional gas burner assembly, wherein the flame ports are m usually integrated parts of the conventional burner crown. The Venturi tubes 44 are formed in the interior between the upper burner part 12 and the lower burner part 14.

Although an illustrative embodiment of the present invention has been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to that precise embodiment, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10 gas burner assembly -   12 upper burner part -   14 lower burner part -   16 support device -   18 pan support element -   20 gas injector -   22 holding device -   24 spark plug -   26 thermocouple -   28 recess -   30 top wall -   32 circumferential side wall -   34 inclined side wall -   36 first flame port -   38 second flame port -   40 impingement cone -   42 baffle -   44 Venturi tube -   46 crown -   48 air inlet 

1. A gas burner assembly for a gas cooking hob, wherein: the gas burner assembly comprises an upper burner part and a lower burner part, the upper burner part is arranged above the lower burner part, the upper burner part includes a central portion and a number of peripheral portions, the peripheral portions extend radially and horizontally from the central portion, an impingement cone is formed at a bottom side of the central portion of the upper burner part, a gas injector is arranged below the impingement cone and is directed to said impingement cone, so that a gas jet from the gas injector impinges on the impingement cone and said gas jet with dragged atmospheric air is directed to the peripheral portions, a Venturi tube extends between the central portion and the peripheral portions in each case, so that a mixture of gas and air is accelerated to the peripheral portions, and a plurality of flame ports is arranged at the circumference of the peripheral portions.
 2. The gas burner assembly according to claim 1, wherein the gas burner assembly is controlled or controllable by the pressure of the gas jet.
 3. The gas burner assembly according to claim 1, wherein the gas burner assembly comprises a number of baffles arranged in the central portion and between two entrances of neighboured peripheral portions, so that the gas jet with dragged atmospheric air is directed into the peripheral portions.
 4. The gas burner assembly according to claim 1, wherein the upper burner part includes a top wall and a circumferential side wall, wherein said upper burner part is a single-piece part.
 5. The gas burner assembly according to claim 1, wherein the upper burner part includes an inclined side wall enclosing at least partially the peripheral portions.
 6. The gas burner assembly according to claim 4, wherein the inclined side wall is arranged between the circumferential side wall and the top wall, above the circumferential side wall and below the top wall, wherein the flame ports are arranged in series at said inclined side wall.
 7. The gas burner assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lower burner part includes a central portion and a number of peripheral portions extending radially and horizontally from said central portion.
 8. The gas burner assembly according to claim 1, wherein an air inlet is formed in the central portion of the lower burner part.
 9. The gas burner assembly according to claim 8, wherein the lower burner part includes a crown enclosing the air inlet, wherein said crown extends downwards.
 10. The gas burner assembly according to claim 1, wherein the gas burner assembly comprises a support device for supporting the upper burner part and the lower burner part.
 11. The gas burner assembly according to claim 10, wherein the support device includes a number of pan support elements, wherein the support device and the pan support elements form a single-piece part.
 12. The gas burner assembly according to claim 1, wherein the gas burner assembly comprises a holding device for fastening the gas injector, a spark plug and/or a thermocouple.
 13. The gas burner assembly according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral portions of the upper burner part and/or the lower burner part are tongue-shaped and/or elongated along the radial and horizontal direction.
 14. The gas burner assembly according to claim 1, wherein the upper burner part and/or the lower burner part include four tongue-shaped peripheral portions, so that the upper burner part and/or the lower burner part have a cloverleaf shaped base area.
 15. A gas cooking appliance comprising at least one gas burner assembly according to claim
 1. 16. The gas burner assembly according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the baffles includes an upper part and a lower part, wherein the upper part of the baffle is an integrated part of the upper burner part, while the lower part of the baffle is an integrated part of the lower burner part.
 17. The gas burner assembly according to claim 5, wherein at least a part of the flame ports is arranged at said inclined side wall.
 18. The gas burner assembly according to claim 7, wherein base areas of the central portion and peripheral portions of the lower burner part are equal to or marginally bigger than the central portion and peripheral portions, respectively, of the upper burner part.
 19. A gas burner assembly comprising: an upper burner part having a central portion and a plurality of peripheral portions extending horizontally from the central portion, said central and peripheral portions of said upper part defining a non-circular perimeter thereof which is greater than the circumference of an imaginary circle of equal overall width, each said peripheral portion having an inclined side wall disposed between a top wall and a circumferential side wall thereof, and a plurality of first and second flame ports arranged in series in said inclined side wall, said first flame ports having a larger diameter than said second flame ports, an inverted impingement cone formed and extending downward within said central portion, the upper burner part being formed as a single-piece part; a lower burner part having a base area being substantially the same shape and at least as large as that of the upper burner part, a crown extending downward from a central portion of the lower burner part and being aligned with the central portion of said upper burner part, said crown enclosing an air inlet for atmospheric air and accommodating a gas injector therein; said lower and upper burner parts defining therebetween a plurality of baffles configured to redirect an air/gas mixture entering from said crown and impinging on said impingement cone into a plurality of lateral burner lobes formed respectively between said peripheral portions of said upper burner part and correspondingly aligned peripheral portions of said lower burner part, each said lobe being in fluid communication with said central portion via a respective Venturi tube configured to accelerate the air/gas mixture into the respective lobe upon said mixture being redirected therein by adjacent ones of said baffles; and a holding device beneath the lower burner part, said gas injector being attached to said holding device and extending upward through said crown so as to be disposed within said air inlet, said gas injector being positioned and configured such that elution of gas therefrom will draw atmospheric area therewith, through said air inlet, via a Venturi effect to thereby form said air/gas mixture and direct the same toward said impingement cone.
 20. The gas burner assembly according to claim 19, the central portion of said upper burner part comprising upper parts of said baffles integrally formed with said upper burner part, the central portion of said lower burner part comprising lower parts of said baffles integrally formed with said lower burner part and being enclosed by said crown, said plurality of baffles being formed by joining the respective upper and lower parts thereof on assembly of said upper and lower burner parts. 